XF15-Loader

After much discussion w a buddy of mine in regards to leaders, I decided to try a flouro leader on my braid. I joined the lines w a dbl uni and had nothing but issues on the cast. I started doing some research and found that a lot of guys use the Alberto knot. After watching see videos and considering the knot construction, it seems to me that the Alberto would be a bulkier knot and would cause the same issue I was having (knot ticking the eyelets & causing overruns). I guess my question is this...am I doing something wrong? Should I be using yet a different knot or is the length (6' or so) of my leader somehow responsible? Any pointers would be appreciated. -J

Yes, you're misunderstanding what's being said. Last year I fished almost exclusively frogs. I've tried just about every frog on the market with the exception of R2S. I prefer Spro and have historically had great hook sets with one or both hooks penetrating the upper jaw between the mouth and eyes. I find that waiting a 2 count ensures the fish has taken the frog, cleared the air and has it solidly in it's mouth. Fast forward to this year, using the same technique, my hooks aren't penetrating. They hit the roof of the fishes mouth and basically filet the skin off of them prior to coming to rest hooked in the skin. As I said, I usually use the same 2-3 variations so the hooks may be getting dull as suggested. Nope...I cross the eyes every time. I often catch flack from my buddy because I'm a tippy toed, over the head, pull the fish from the water type of hook setter...lol

Lew's Super Duty on a St Croix Mojo Bass MHF with 50# braid. This is the first year I've fished with this setup but considering I was using a Falcon Buccoo MHF and a Lew's MB w 50# braid, you'd think I was stepping up a notch.

Thanks for the suggestion, gents. Any recommendations as to hook types?

Mostly Spro. I learned a while ago that you've definitely gotta bend your hooks out on em but, I think your hard pressed to find a better walker. As for my issue, I think @papajoe222 is on to something there. I have plenty of frogs but usually end up with the same 2 or 3 tied on.

I spent the most part of last summer frogging. I'm by no means a pro but I've caught my share of bass on topwater frogs. Jump forward to this year. I'm still slaying em on frogs but the hook set is lacking. Recently I've noticed that the hook(s) aren't penetrating the fish but they're hooking the skin of the inside of the mouth. Because of this I'm having trouble getting the hook free without tearing up the skin in the fishes mouth. Do you think it's a hook set issue, a hook sharpness issue, or a timing issue? Suggestions?

Sounds like you need to learn how to fish that lure?. LOL

Perhaps. But, if these are known issues, it will most likely just happen again.

Thanks for the insightful response, @MassYak85. I was fishing along a weed line and over top of a grass bed which would explain the issues I'm having. Again, thanks for the assurance that I'm not alone in my experience. -J

I did @MassYak85. The heaviest rod I have will only handle up to 1oz. I didn't want to risk damage to my rod. So, knowing the issues I'm having w retrieval, is there something I need to do differently?

So last week I break down and buy a couple Whopper Ploppers. I grabbed one each bone and loon. I fished the bone a few days this week and caught several fish on it. Then I noticed that the tail wasn't spinning very well. It got progressively worse until I noticed that the Plopper itself was spinning and twisting my line. It then got to the point where I was having to reel it max speed to get it to spin. Figuring it was maybe gunked up, I quit fishing it...that was yesterday. Today it's a little overcast and the water is like glass. I walk to my spot and throw the loon. 3 casts in and I notice it's doing the same thing to a lesser extent. It's spinning but I have to really crank it to get it on plane. 4th cast gets a fish. I reel it in and it's a perfect hook set through the top lip. I grab my pliers and attempt to roll the hook out...the d**n hook snaps! I know people really like these baits and the concept is exceptional but, I cannot believe R2S doesn't have more stringent quality control or at least better quality components. Has anyone else had issues with this tackle? Thanks, -J

Wow...OP, does seem a bit harsh. Anyway, I purchased a Samson scale and the lip gripper Jr for weighing fish that appear to be at or near my PB. I've only used the scale a coupla times but both times I've wondered if I should be using the full sized grippers. Of the fish I've weighed it seemed difficult to find an appropriate spot for the grippers. Does anyone have suggestions on where to clip it or possibly a good image of an appropriate use? Thanks! -J

Lmao @Mosster47. That's NUTS. Then again, there's a reason they're SP's!

LMAO. Whatever. You must be a BB stacker, @Mosster47! I used to like you guys until I spun a 904 while doing my preload checks. Apparently it has to spin hundreds of times to arm but it still had a pucker factor...Lol. At any rate, I'm good keeping my drag locked down for frogging n jigging? I guess I should just read less n fish more...Lol -J

Ok, I've been reading a lot and see many anglers talk about setting your drag correctly. How do you know your drag is set correctly? I usually keep my drag locked down for frog fishing so I was surprised to read that you shouldn't have it locked down. So, this fall I backed my drag down a little while jig fishing. The first hit I got, I set the hook and d**n near unspooled my reel...lol. How do you know how much to back it off? Or, do you wait for the strike to make that decision. Help a brutha out! Thanks, -J

Thanks for the reply, @Dwight Hottle. I did purchase the jaw gripper Jr that was recommended w the scale. But now I wonder if I should've gotten the larger model. I feel like I'm not going much past the bony part of the jaw when I lock on. As for the scale itself..I already love it. I'm just so nervous I'm going to break it or short it out...Lol. How rugged are they?

So my Brecknell landed earlier I'm the week and I finally got to go out n use it. Love the scale itself but...Man do I have questions...Lol. When you clip the fish...Where do I clip him? Just behind the bony part of the lip? As far in as possible? I'm assuming not on the tongue since it's the thickest part of the mouth. Secondly, do I have to zero the scale every time I turn it on? Third, what's the tare function? Will it store each fish's weight? Finally, since I usually fish alone, I'm concerned w the amount of time it takes to unhook the fish, zero the scale, clip the fish, weigh it, and return it to the water. How long is too long? Thanks for any info!! -J

Seeing that I've never used it, it's not a comfort level. Just don't want to pay 20-30 bucks for a spool of line and have issues. I've since decided to move in baby steps and start with a copoly to see how well that works for me. Perhaps next season I'll step up to staring fluoro. -J

Well let me tell ya what I decided to do and you tell me if Im utilizing my gear correctly. I have the following set ups: Lew's Super Duty > 40# 832 > St Croix Mojo Bass MH - Frogging Lew's Tourney MB > 40# 832 > Falcon Buccoo MH - Frogging (may use as a utility rod) Shimano Curado CU200 > 12# CXX > BPS Crankin' Stick - Cranks Ambassadeur 3600SE > 10# Big Game > 6' BPS Xtreme M - You tell me! Also, should I use a line conditioner on the CXX? And if so, its already spooled so can I just spray it on the spooled line? Sorry to keep this going but I think I'm almost there...LOL. Thanks, -J

Thanks for the additional insight. The reason I asked about the line weight is because I've seen guys recommend 15+ for squarebills. How about copolymer? How does that compare to fluoro? -J

You use 10-12 pound on your squarebills too?

Thanks for the reply, @hawgenvy. I guess I'm turned off by the idea of dropping the cash to find out if I like it or not...lol. Everything you've mentioned makes it very tempting. With that said, most of my crank fishing is done w squarebills. I've done a bit of crank fishing this winter and have noticed that the 10# mono I have on my reel gets beaten up pretty good. Is abrasion a serious concern or is it no more a concern than w mono? Sorry to be a PITA but the idea of losing fish to line breaks worries me even more than the cost of the line. ? Thanks again!! -J

So, my reels are on the way home from NY and I'm trying to figure out what they're getting spooled with. I've got a Curado Bantam that I want to spool with flouro for square bills but, I've heard bad things about flouro. I've heard it's finicky with knots, I've heard it will snap on your spool, and I've heard that it's difficult to work with during casts. So, are these concerns correct or should I just drop the 30+ on some flouro and hope for the best? Whatcha think? Thanks, -J

Unless you're transitioning to tungsten...Omg, that stuff is expensive!!! Saw these at BPS the other day. Wasn't sure if it was a legit.

Has anyone had a chance to throw the Spro Spitting Shad? Love Spro frogs and hope this one lives up to the hype. With that said, Spro has the Bronzeye Frog, Bronzeye Popper, Bronzeye Shad, and now the Bronzeye Spitting Shad. Do you think Spro is over-developing the line or are all of these variants necessary for different applications? Just curious what others think. Thanks, -J